Fabregas could have been forgiven for expecting a frosty reception as he took to the pitch with the rest of his Gunners team-mates for an open training session at the Emirates Stadium.

But there were no jeers for the 24-year-old, despite his apparent desire to quit the club for Barcelona, although things might have been different had Arsenal decided upon their usual roll call as the players entered the field.

Heavy rain also forced the club to postpone their official team photo, which may ultimately spare them being left with one that includes Fabregas were he to leave.

However, PA Sport says both Fabregas and contract rebel Samir Nasri are understood to have posed for annual in-house photos and videos on Thursday as well as completing the usual pre-season pictures for other media outlets.